Correlation of blood loss with blood volume and other hematological studies before, during, and after childbirth

Reduction of Incidence of Prematurity by Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy

“…The aetiological role of folate deficiency in megaloblastic anaemia in pregnancy and the ability of folic acid supplementation to prevent this anaemia is well established (Lowenstein et al, 1955). An association between abnormalities in tests of folate nutrition and other complications of pregnancy (accidental haemorrhage, abruptio placentae, abortion, fetal abnormalities, premature delivery) has been found by some workers but not by others (Hourihane et al, 1960;MacKenzie and Abbott, 1960;Coyle and Geoghegan, 1962;Hibbard and Hibbard, 1963;Hibbard, 1964;Martin et al, 1965;Menon et al, 1966;Thambu and Llewellyn-Jones, 1966;Streiff and Little, 1967).…”

A Leukaemoid Blood Picture in Megaloblastic Anaemia of the Puerperium

“…According to Callender (1944), " a few myelocytes " are " always present" in megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy, and Wintrobe (1956) states that, though leucopenia is more frequent than leucocytosis, a few immature forms are often found, as well as multiple segmented neutrophils. The presence of macrogranulocytes in the marrow is considered by Lowenstein, Pick, and Philpott (1955) to be of diagnostic significance.…”

“…It is recognized that the megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy is not necessarily a macrocytic anaemia; it may be normocytic or even microcytic (Lillie, Gatenby, and Moore, 1954;Lowenstein et al, 1955). Scott (1954) noted that in such cases after a few injections of intravenous iron the red cells tended to become macrocytic, and typical megalo-blasts could be seen in the blood films; she regarded this phenomenon as so constant as to be a useful aid to diagnosis when sternal punctures could not be carried out.…”

Clinical Analysis of 100 Cases of Severe Megaloblastic Anaemia of Pregnancy

“…During the last five years Lowenstein et al (1955), Scott (1957), Cowan (1957), Forshaw et al (1957), and Forshaw (1958 have reported a much higher incidence of this condition. Giles and Shuttleworth (1958) found one case in 39.5 hospital deliveries, and consider this to be an underestimate of the real incidence.…”

“…Some have accepted this principle (Lowenstein et al, 1955;Francis and Scott, 1959). The main disadvantage in the prophylactic use of folic acid therapy is that megaloblastic anaemia not caused purely by the demands of pregnancy will be masked and lead to delay in recognizing the underlying cause, which may be serious.…”